Embracing Diversity with Pride – Celebrating Many Differences, One Mission

Understanding and meeting the needs of our diverse workforce and patient population isn’t just a commitment for Mission Health — it’s our standard of practice. Diversity enhances the intellectual, emotional, economic, moral and spiritual life of a community. As an organization committed to improving the lives and health of western North Carolina and caring for every person who walks through our doors, we are equally as committed to growing and thriving in a world where differences and similarities are embraced among those who seek care and those who provide it.

Mission Health is proud to honor Pride Month, and celebrate the people among the LGBTQ community who influence diversity within our communities and help strengthen the health, wellness and lives of the people of western North Carolina — not just during Pride Month, but every day.

Disparities in healthcare limit the progress in overall health of a population and quality of care for a community. Mission Health, one of the founding members of the WNC Diversity Engagement Coalition, continues to strengthen our commitment to eliminating disparities in health and in healthcare through increased community partnerships, the #123ForEquity pledge and the work of our Diversity, Inclusion and Health Equity (DIHE) team and council.

The work of our DIHE team is important because it is the thread that connects everything that we do as an organization. Lakesha McDay, director of DIHE explains, “Diversity, inclusion and health equity is not an initiative–it should be a part of every decision that we make, how we care for our patients and families and each other. My hope is that one day it will be so intertwined in our work that there will be no need to have a role and department focusing on it.”

Mission Health’s driving force is Our BIG(GER) Aim: to get every person to their desired outcome first without harm, also without waste and always with an exceptional experience for each person, family and team member. When we think about how the LGBTQ community fits into our world, it’s simple — it’s about every person. And Mission Health is here to care for every person, every time.

About LGBTQ Pride Month – Pride Month recognizes the impact that the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ) individuals have had, and continue to have, on our progress at the local, national and international levels. LGBTQ Pride Month is celebrated each June to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots in Manhattan. The Stonewall riots were a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.

About the WNC Diversity Engagement Coalition – Mission Health is one of the founding members of the WNC Diversity Engagement Coalition. The DEC brings people together to collectively support the professional development, engagement and inclusion of multicultural professionals within the member organizations in western North Carolina. Mission employees are able to participate in free professional development series and networking events. For more information, visit wncdec.com.